A number of years back, during a time of worship and sharing around our living room with a gathering of the saints, we noticed our teenage son, Evan, off in a corner intently writing in a notebook. We weren’t quite sure what he was up to, but he was certainly focused on whatever it was, and it wasn’t a distraction in the relaxed family atmosphere of the gathering. Near the end of our time together, he very simply asked if he could share something. He proceeded to read a poem he had just composed. That poem is what I’m sharing in this post.Not only do I think you will be wonderfully blessed by this poem, as we were, I share it also as an encouragement and example of what the Lord will do when He is given the “reins” of our gatherings, and each person is free to contribute their unique gifts for the edification of the body… even our teenagers/children! May we recapture this way of meeting under Christ’s headship once again!Enjoy!~ ~ ~

“The Image We Bear”

by Evan Bolton

Nothing but this single stone on which to stand

As I look out upon this dry and broken land

But clothed in nakedness, I feel nothing but the eyes on me

Nothing but the broken shards of the image we were created to be

The life you intended, abandonness, beauty, love and trust

Have been taken captive by, drunkenness, hate, violence and lust

The waves that once lapped upon the distant shores

Are ripped and torn from memories of battle and wars

But what is this? Is this beauty in disguise?

This glimmer that appears in the distant skies

The moon, the stars, and the song they sing

The hope, the peace, the love you bring

Yet all who live are beaten and battered

The image we bear all but shattered

But what is that feature that sits in flight?

Its beating wings all painted white

What is this thing, this gentle bird?

Being chased by a barbaric hoard

Yet it continues to fly without any care

With all the land burned and bare

Except for one splintered tree

Broken and twisted into a simple T

The dove finds it the perfect place on which to sit

And right then something pulled the demonic bit

The dark hoard scattered and flew

For through the dove all was made new

What is this, this mended mirror?

And what is the image that reappears?

~ ~ ~

Please see, Poems of Evan Bolton, for more poems that Evan wrote while in his late teens and early twenties. I think you will be richly blessed!

8 Responses to “The Image We Bear” – by Evan Bolton

I think this is quite magnificent for a number of reasons: the remarkable gifts given to Evan, his commitment to Jesus, the spontaneity of it all, the acceptance and participation of children and youth as ‘the church of the present’ and not some vague ‘church of the future,’ the reflection of what has been built into Evan’s life by his parents, siblings (?) and fellow-believers over years, and a revelation of the glory and grace of the Lord…

All I can say is WOW! This is the potential of Christ-controlled, organic fellowship groups all over the world.

ERROLL – Thank you for your encouraging comment and the things you expressed! It is a blessing when the church begins to function naturally under Christ’s headship and the latent gifts in the body begin to be stirred and come out. There is a richness and fullness that cannot be compared! I’m glad that this is your experience in South Africa as well. Blessings!

CHERYL at breadforthebride – Thank you, my sister! As one who writes beautiful prophetic poetry, yourself, I’m glad this was a blessing to you! Cheers!

TRAVIS – Thank you for your comment and the three aspects you mentioned. I think you summed it up perfectly as to why this blesses me as well! Good to hear from you, my friend!

Wow this is great! I knew that Evan had this gift, but he is really good at poetry! Thank you for sharing this with me, it encouraged me a whole lot. Keep up the good work. I want to share this poem with CIU, but I’d need evan’s permission first.